Kremlin Condemns NATO’s ‘Barbaric’ Libya Intervention Ahead of PM Visit – Newsweek

The Kremlin has revived its criticism of the U.S.-led intervention in Libya, days ahead of a possible visit by the war-torn north African countrys prime minister, state news agency Itar-Tass reports.

The NATO operation in 2011 toppled Libyan authoritarian leader Muammar al-Qaddafi quickly but the limited planning for rebuilding the country politically resulted in a collapse into civil war. Islamist extremist groups have risen to prominence in the country and ex-U.S. President Barack Obama pointed to the lack of planning as his worst mistake in his last year in office.

Russia was opposed to the move though did not block the resolution for an intervention in the United Nations Security Council. Regardless, Libya has become the Kremlins standard example of Western inadequacy in the Middle East. Monday Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman gave yet another clue that Moscow intends to play a role in restoring a strong regime in the country.

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Fighters loyal to Libya's Government of National Unity (GNA) look through binoculars towards Sirte's conference centre, which had become a command headquarters for ISIS, July 18, 2016. Now ISIS has been overthrown in Sirte since December, Russia has indicated it would support Libya in its challenge to restore order to the country. Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images

Russia is interested in Libya finally becoming a working state after this barbaric intervention that was conducted from outside, that led to catastrophic consequences from the point of view of the Libyan state and the future of the Libyan people, Peskov said. That is why we are interested in the swift development of a durable power in Libya that can begin the process of restoring and recreating the state.

Peskov made his comments Wednesday after Putins Middle East envoy Mikhail Bogdanovs statement Monday, in which he announced that the prime minister of the Government of National Accord of Libya, Fayez al-Sarraj, would visit Russia in the coming days.

His is one of a handful of political institutions in Libya that are vying for de facto power over the country as a whole, though Moscow has recently courted rival factions, most notably the military leader Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar was given a statesmans welcome aboard Russias Syria-bound air carrier last year and has said he expects Russia to lobby for his and Libyas interests in the U.N. Security Council.

Peskov said Putin himself is currently not planning any meeting with Sarraj. The Kremlin has let the ministries of defense and foreign affairs negotiate with Libyan factions, including Haftars during his last visit to Moscow in November.

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Kremlin Condemns NATO's 'Barbaric' Libya Intervention Ahead of PM Visit - Newsweek